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THE 
rREAT CONSPIRACY 



ROBERTS 




Class __ifS_i5:s.5 

BookJQ_L:ZT3ix.^ 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE GREAT CONSPIRACY 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 

LOUVAIN: A Tragedg of the Invasion of Belgium 

THAISA: A Tragedy in the days of Nero. With Frontispiece fiom 
a drawing by Andre Castaigne 

OCTAVIA AND NEW POEMS' 

COLLECTED POEMS 

THE CALL OF SORROW 




"O shattered side of conscience ! standest thou 
A monument to memory's despair 
That's taller than Hell's everlasting fire. 
Thou art the giantship of punishment." 

Cleopatra, Scene I, page 20 



THE GREAT CONSPIRACY 



AN EPIC DRAMA IN NINE SCENES 
WRITTEN IN PROSE AND VERSE 



BY 
CHARLES V. H. ROBERTS 

n 

AUTHOR OF "THAISA," "LOUVAIN," "THE CALL OF 
SORROW," ETC. 



THE TORCH PRESS 
NEW YORK AND CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 

LONDON: 11-13, HENRIETTA STREET 

COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 

1919 



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COPYRIGHT 1919 

CHARLES V. H. ROBERTS 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

FEBRUARY 



MAR 20 1919 



aO 51581 



^ 



To the Memory of 

My Father 
Frank M. Roberts 



PUBLISHER'S NOTE 

This drama is in part a revision of "The 
Sublime Sacrifice" by the same author, 
which is now entirely out of print 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 



Scene I 


In Hell 


15 


Scene II 


Potsdam 


45 


Scene III 


Same 


47 


Scene IV 


A Battlefield in Flanders . 


61 


Scene V 


A German residence in Brussels 


93 


Scene VI 


A Death Cell in Military Prison 






AT Brussels .... 


lOI 


Scene VII 


Military Prison Yard at dawn . 


117 


Scene VIII 


Same, high noon .... 


118 


Scene IX 


In Hell 


121 



CHARACTERS OF THE DRAMA 

IMMORTALS 
Satax The King of Hell 

Beelzebub A^^^/ f„ Power to Satan 

xMoLOCH The Fiend of War 

The Spirit of Nero 
The Spirit of Marc Axtoxy 
The Spirit of Attila 
The Spirit of Richard III 
The Spirit of Bismarck 
The Spirit of Cleopatra 

Devils, Servants, Menials to the Court of Satan, 

etc., etc. 

mortals 

The "All-Highest" War-Lord of Germany 

General Karl von Hofen 

Commander of German Army in Flanders 
Captain Frederich Harrach ) 

Lieutenant Horst ] ^"^ '^^'^ Hofen s Staff 

Baron Freiderick von der Achen 

Of the Political Department at Brussels 
An Aide to Baron von der Achen 
Sir John Steele 

Capt. R. A. F., betrothed to Edith Vernon 
The American Minister to Belgium 
The Spanish Minister to Belgium 
A Chaplain 

Edith Vernon An English Red Cross Nurse 

The Baroness von der Achen 

Soldiers, Stretcher Bearers, Orderlies, Trench 

Diggers, Servants, etc., etc. 



SCENE I 



SCENE I 

The curtain rising discloses a cavern in Pandemo- 
nium, the huge palace of the Arch-Fiend. 
It is dark, except for green and red lights that 
flicker grimly on the walls. From the ceiling there 
is a continual movement as of wings and flying 
things. Distant wailings and moanings are heard. 
A dim mist of smoke comes dow?i at intei'vals fol- 
lowed by lurid flashes of lightning. 
As the scene progresses the light grows stronger. 
In the center at back Satan is discovered sitting in 
sinister majesty on a high throne. Beelzebub and 
Moloch stand on either side of their master. 
Through a low opening to the left, spirit shapes 
and shadowy forms are entering. They approach 
in pairs, some few cowering in fear and terror, oth- 
ers walking erect; all prostrate themselves before 
Satan. 

The spirits of Nero, Marc Antony, Attila, Richard 
III, Bismarck, and many other notables of history 
appear. These intermingle with throngs of devils 
and menials conspicuous with their forked horns. 
The warriors are distinguished by their respective 
costumes, head-gear, and armor. 

Satan {as a hush falls over the conclave) . 
I bid you welcome here, my noble fiends, 
So that our learned talk may be extended. 



1 6 The Great Conspiracy 

[With his sceptre he motions all to 

rise~\ 

Not as disgusting worms — 

Adjust now all your memories for my 

chat 
Of damning trust where evil's sanctified. 

[Looking upward^ 

Observe a Doctrine that destroys itself 
And yet it has survived too many suns. 
Of Christ I speak, a feeble Stammerer, 
Who shouts His soulful metres oft in vain 
To herds of monks and priests. They're 

underlings; 
Their churches are kennels where frail 

Goodness breeds 
And later spreads in foul preeminence. 
Aye, this concerns our glory. Come near- 
er. 
In confidence wherefor I wish to speak: 
The worst that I can say will prove the 
best. 

[For a moment there is a horrible sound 
of moaning winds~\ 

Beelzebub. 

O mighty Satan, hail! 



The Great Conspiracy 17 

Chorus of Voices {all making obeisance). 

Hail, ruler of Hell! 
Moloch. 

And all wild things of immortality. 

[Suddenly in the aperture, the figure of 
a woman appears robed in a flaming 
Egyptian mantle. Her head is be- 
decked and glittering with jewels'] 

[Enter CLEOPATRA. She is followed 
by a score of sister-fiends who rush 
about in wild confusion] 

[With clenched fists and tears in her 
eyes the famous queen makes appeal- 
ing gestures to SATAN. She tears 
jewels from her gown and hair and 
casts them at her feet] 

[Satan, however, does not heed her, 
but instead with growing impatience 
beckons some of his servants to re- 
move both Cleopatra and her fol- 
lowing from the cavern] 

[Marc Antony is now discovered push- 
ing his way through the throng. He 
approaches to where CLEOPATRA is 
standing] 



1 8 The Great Conspiracy 

Cleopatra {recognizing her former lover). 

Antony! O Love so humbled here! 

[^Throwing herself in his arms^ 

Canst thou remember Egypt? thy Cleo- 
patra? 

Antony. 

The perfume of her presence fills my soul. 

Cleopatra {sorrowfully). 

Changed is thy visage, dear Marc Antony. 
[Appealing to SATAN ] 

Have we not burned for two long thous- 
and years? 

Fain cast thy power o'er this deviltry. 
[Again to AntONY] 

Clasp me, you favoring arms! 

Why dost thou gaze at me so anxiously? 

Here is my body cold as ice yet charred 

And burning inwardly. Call out my 
name 

As I did thine beholding thee in death 

Prone on my couch in Alexandria! 

1 pray thee build a wall about my soul 
Where I may feel as when the moon- 
beams wrapt 



The Great Conspiracy 19 

Us round in their soft silver nakedness, 
My head upon thy breast, while glided we 
Through mists stirred only by the wings 

of love 
Adown the waters of the swaying Nile. 

\^Sadly~\ 
To think that I was beautiful. 

Antony. 

These flames, 
Scarcely have they advanced on thy beauty. 

Cleopatra. 

Stagger thou now, my half-crazed mem- 
ory! 

Ah Antony, why here this death undying? 

If cease we ever will, let's perish now. 
\^Kissing him passionately^ 

O let these lips, while lips, be kissed again. 

Antony {in tones of deep pity). 

Here sympathy's defiled. Ah, Cleopatra 1 
As never love from the beginning died. 
Nor sepulchre diviner beauty held. 
This vengeance on thee doth seem cow- 
ardly. 
E'en through our dark realities of soul. 



20 The Great Conspiracy 

Cleopatra {bitterly). 

Ah, had we ended when we loved. O stay! 
Whence comes this lonely wail from out 

the past, 
Close yet unseen, no signs, but syllables? 

[^With agitation^ 
O shattered side of conscience! standest 

thou 
A monument to memory's despair 
That's taller than Hell's everlasting fire. 
Thou art the giantship of punishment. 

\_More calmly^ 
My soul is fettered, but my heart is free; 
Though withered, still can give forth 

amorous beats. 

[Beelzebub approaches with a flaming 
whip in his hand, CLEOPATRA clings 
more closely to AntONY] 

Beelzebub {to Cleopatra, and raising his 

whip) . 

Down on thy face! 

Cleopatra {to Antony). 

Save me, thy once beloved! 
Some relic of thy moldering strength is 
left. 



The Great Conspiracy 21 

\^Cowering in terror from BeeLZEBUB] 
O there, O turn that hideous fiend away! 

Antony {shielding Cleopatra). 

Ah Beelzebub, is not sufficient laden 
Upon her soul by these injurious gods? 

Satan {rising in anger and pointing to CLEO- 
PATRA). 

Now cease this nauseous prattling instant- 

And throw that writhing wanton from 
my view. 

[^At this command and against their 
piteous cries of protest, CLEOPATRA 
is torn from ANTONY, and with her 
sister fiends forced roughly from the 
cavern^ 

[Antony appears dumfounded, but 
quickly recovers his composure see- 
ing Satan is about to address him^ 

Satan. 

What wouldst thou, Antony? 

Antony. 

To hear thee, Sire. 



22 The Great Conspiracy 

Satan {with a smile). 

Ever the snare was set for thee by women. 

They flatter to the last. Shun them, my 
Roman. 

Howe'er, the passioning breasts of maid- 
enhood 

Have led a swarm of bravest men to Hell. 
[Waving ANTONY aside and turning 

to Beelzebub] 
But now I will proceed. Beelzebub, see 
To it there're no more interruptions. 
A monstrous plan doth flame within my 

soul 
At which Tri-named, Tri-featured God 

shall tremble. 

Moloch. 

Ha, we will hear thee, Satan, we will hear 

thee. 
If there be God, if there be God, 'tis 

thou. 

[The warriors flock about MolOCH] 

Chorus of Voices {looking towards Satan). 
Speak, speak — 

Beelzebub {interrupting them angrily). 
Silence, ye babbling menials! 



The Great Conspiracy 23 

And keep your forked horns there fur- 
ther ofi. 

All are not privileged in this great con- 
clave 

Save those whose vile exploits are well 
recorded. 

Nero {haughtily). 

Look to the record, Beelzebub; be sure 
I'm there for deathless deeds of violence, 
And high enrolled for butchery and lust. 

Beelzebub. 

Silence, thou juggler of antiquity! 
Boast not of what thou wast but what thou 
art. 

Nero {angrily). 

Regard thyself, I am a Roman Caesar. 
[^The spirits group about BEELZEBUB 
and Nero who start quarreling; they 
are on the verge of a fierce encounter 
when Satan interrupts~\ 

Satan. 

Purge off this wrangling now and hear 

me. Peers, 
Not in the stormy atmosphere of souls. 



24 The Great Conspiracy 

But with the zeal that is befitting us 
In our conspicuous catastrophe. 

\^All now become attentive and the com- 
motion ceases^ 

Learn what must be encountered and over- 
come : 
My wits err not — high there upon the 

Earth 
Has Civilization breeded long enough, 
With us no nearer to the Infinite; 
Sloth is intolerable here in Hell 
And our inaction must be shaken up 
Away from lukewarm blood and clem- 
ency. 

Moloch. 

O tell us what means Lucifer, my lord? 

Satan. 

O ye sacred bells! 'Tis Evil that I call, 
For Evil lives when Goodness turns to 

slime. 
Heed ye the words of immortality, 
Where Power's framed with all-prolific 

humor. 
My plan is one of demolition 



The Great Conspiracy 25 

Carved out of thunder by the blade of 
Chaos. 

None have so much of death that there's 
no death, 

For worms will gnaw forever on the soul 

Begrimed within the sphere of my con- 
trol. 

May prayer dissolve forever to our bliss! 
[Looking upward and making the sign 
of the Cross~\ 

Grin on Thou Skull! there on Thy cruci- 
fix! 

Behold! am I not Lucifer? Thine Angel 

Created next to Thee, then dispossessed, 

Cast into this foul-spinning twisted air? 

The royal blood of Heaven's in my veins, 

Which flows so burned in anguish but 
still proud. 

By no means humbled by calamity. 

I'll crack the ear of earth's buffoonery. 

Whose topmost lobe hangs there on Cal- 
vary. 

Sound on, ye hymns of peace, ye songs of 
praise. 

Within your woodland vales or cities 
clinging 



26 The Great Conspiracy 

Onto the mountain sides, where merri- 
ment 
And love feast on the amorous lips of 

women. 
Sing on in innocence or revelry — 
Yet not forever so — above this cauldron, 
Poor gnomes, ye know not what doth 

lurk so near 
Despite the prophets of divinity 
And cunning teachers of theology. 

[^Standing erect with arms outstretch- 
ed] 

O damned hell-hounds! how it cheers my 

soul 
To wing the air among earth's erring 

stars! 
The fall is not too deep for all there is 
Now over me to work that land's undoing. 

{^Pointing upward] 

Peace there retains her veil; despite our 
work 

Is Christ enthroned; within her sanctua- 
ries 

Are murmured indolently knavish psalms 

Against us Intellectuals of Hell. 



The Great Conspiracy 27 

Yet is the beach of History there, whose 

shore 
Is bloody war — and what does it expect? 
Can our infinity be put to naught? 
Lie we ill-starred, seduced and unwise 
Before the substance of that pious earth? 
Be I no longer devil if the hour's 
Not come to act, and suck existence out 
Of Godly things. Ha, ha, my noble 

fiends. 
My plan suits not the Artist Jesus-Man: 
For our rebufifs shall Europe make 

amends. 
The subtlest spot for war's most fitful 

strife, 
For murky visaged griefs and gory deaths. 

Moloch. 

But those confines are quite all Chris- 
tian. 

Satan. 

Think so? I warrant thee thou art de- 
ceived. 

Moloch, I gave thee credit for more wis- 
dom. 

Withal a Christian is a brute, has sense 



28 The Great Conspiracy 

Of sex, of gold, and thirst for blood ; more 
too. 

Parrots themselves could speak of Cal- 
vary; 

Allow them thought and even dogs could 
pray; 

A Christian's but a keener kind of 
clay. 

Now might I tell thee what I know of 
Europe, 

That perfect calm in seething armament? 

A State's oasis of thievery. 

Its law a snarling caravan of fools 

Dragged blindly on the desert of Ambi- 
tion. 

As Nature's linked with Hell, listen my 
fiends : 

One State pursues the clouds of war and 
is 

In wakeful preparation now. How oft 

Did I rise up o' nights and watch those 
whelps 

In armor bright arrayed. O wretched 
Prussia! 

Twinkled a secret joy within my soul 

To see that gnashing in thy jaws of steel 



The Great Conspiracy 29 

Aping the Martian tongue. 'Twas a 

goodly sight, 
And though a snake, I smiled with glee 

knowing 
How this would pain the Entertainer's 

ears 
Around the table of Heav'nly piety. 

[Calling the throng closer to him^ 

As Nature multiplies in Prussian wombs 
So does that state with its envenomed guns 
Need but the touch of our allegiance. 
A petty enterprise? Behold above, 
The graceful Deity. Fall, Jesus Christ, 
Thou Undefminer of this darkened pit! 
Ye cities, counties with your Godly laws, 
Crack twixt the mighty hands of brutish 
force. 

[^Long applause^ 

Attila. 

O master, how I greet thy words; how I 

Do love thy lips that droppeth murderous 
gore. 

Peace phantoms fret my soul. To Chal- 
ons-plain 

Send me again, divinest Lucifer. 



30 The Great Conspiracy 

The world by massacre could soon be 

ended 
Or in the lees of infants' blood be 

drowned. 

Chorus of Devils. 

Aye, aye, let him go forth, let him go 
forth. 

Satan {lowering his voice). 

With war come other issues delicate. 
Those frail women, diverse companions 
First used for lust then dragged in slavery. 

[^Directing his words to AntONY] 

Marc Antony, thou hast a strong passion 

For sinuous veils, this should appeal to 
thee. 

To rouse them sleeping, breathing per- 
fumes in 

The arts of love, 'twill be a recompense — 

Feel kisses sting like whips, feel fairer 
hands 

From arms of sapphire-tendrilled veins 
dig in 

Thy throat. Methinks I'll change my 
mind and now 



The Great Conspiracy 31 

Recall thy mummied rag of Egypt, eh? 
Verily she had wit at Actium. 

Antony. 

Forbear! to Fate and to my soul unjust. 
I care no longer for the challenge of steel. 
And less for the forbidden arts of love. 
Beauty's a precious gift, but not in hell. 
No worthy match am I in suffering; 
Less worthy would I be conceiving pain: 
If I'm debased, let that be my transgres- 
sion. 

Satan {angrily). 

In hell thou standest in thine own estate. 
\^Summoning two devils to seize hifn~\ 

Carry him down into the fields of ice. 
Passion's chaste sallies will be frozen 

there. 

[Exit Antony pushed roughly for- 
ward by two menials^ 

Nero. 

I am a matricide, thus well might urge 
That Attila be sent as he has pled. 
I hate the cross congratulating Rome 
And did my best to stamp its breeders out. 



32 The Great Conspiracy 

Beelzebub. 

Fie fool, thy deeds brought fewest vic- 
tims here. 
Thy living torches rose in Paradise. 

AtTILA {again appealing to SaTAN). 

chief, thou spokest as Divinity. 

1 crave thy word to go. Til pick and 
choose 

Mine auguster and worthy progeny. 
The Hohenzollern pirates, for this work. 
The thing needs time, that's all, and strat- 
egy. 

Satan. 

Nay, time is mortals' plea. Still, thou 
seem'st wise. 

Richard III {limping up to the throne of 

Satan). 

A sage is he, yon Attila, the Hun — 

He spoke of his great sweep on Chalons- 
field. 

With thy permission, therefore, O great 
king, 

I'll sketch a picture here of Flanders- 
field. 
[Satan nods assent^ 



The Great Conspiracy 33 

[^The lights grow dimmer. Distant 
waitings and cries are heard as RICH- 
ARD recites^ 

The silent stars droop their appealing 

eyes 
In tears o'er shriek of fiends and anguish- 
ed cries 
From dying man. Into the fiery glow 
Of flame and poisonous gas, the tread be- 
low 
Of infantry advancing to the fight 
Creates new horrors in the gory night. 
Hark, comes a savage roar like dragons 

meet, 
A gap in rank — a clash, then horses' feet 
Tramp o'er the bodies of the fallen ones 
While pulling, dragging up the heavy 

guns. 
The battle now becomes confused; lurid 
The air from gas and stench of blood; 

torrid 
In fumes from cursing lips and gnashing 

teeth 
O'er mangled arms, torn sides and limbs 

beneath. 
The stars turn into bells that toll the dead, 



34 The Great Conspiracy 

Count writhing shadows in the midnight 

dread. 
At dawn the flames become a moving mist 
Outcreeping broken arch and trees atwist. 

\^Applause^ 

Satan. 

Thou couldst have done no better than 
come here. 

Richard III. 

My memory gloats within conspiracies, 
Like yonder Cassius and Marcus Brutus. 
[Satan and Moloch, with Richard 

III and AttILA, are seen conferring] 

Nero {to one side). 

I have done proudly. Minute reformers 

of 
Imperial Rome, trapped are ye now. 

Caesar, 
Ye fools, does not forgive so easily. 

[/w singing tones'] 

White is the maid of Peace, and white 

her robe 
Enwreathed with roses near the Vatican, 
Or shadowing innocence and queenly 

pride 



The Great Conspiracy 3c 

Across the fields of Belgium and France. 
We'll rape and spoil her lap of loveliness. 

Beelzebub {sarcastically). 

Not without art, Nero, e'en here in Hell. 

Nero {retorting). 

O humor's base, when it doth come from 
thee. 

Satan {calling Bismarck from the throng). 

Bismarck, thou art more recently famil- 
iar — 

Now, what hast thou to say? I stood be- 
hind 

Thee in thy former war and when thou 
camest 

To this infernal place, I saw thy deeds. 

Thy sanguinary work there well estab- 
lished. 

Bismarck. 

Ah, mock me not, though thou art lord- 
liest. 

Satan, I dream not in the thirst for blood, 

Nor zest acute, nor wish that war return. 

Though God lays on me more than I can 
bear, 



36 The Great Conspiracy 

Though these old hands do tremble in de- 
spair 

I would not have my country thus involv- 
ed. 

I see thy motive and thy {rightfulness. 

That Prussia is prepared for war, 'tis 

true — 
For that alone was I responsible. 
Such preparation best upholds for peace. 
Securing all the world and all mankind. 
For conquests further, I will not take part, 
Though loud and fierce with blame thy 

hate may be. 

Satan {with grinning malice). 

Say fool, is this thy gratitude? 

Bismarck {calmly). 

Care I 

For that. I see the circling splendor of 
My work, as I do see the ruin now 
Conjured within this evil thou wouldst 

hatch. 
My one regret's the fact my plans did give 
To thee such scope to reek this wider car- 
nage; 



The Great Conspiracy 37 

For that alone thou shouldst be very 

thankful. 

\^Hisses^ 

Satan {rising from the throne in supreme an- 
ger) . 

Thou servile mind, what is thy chief af- 
fliction? 
A man hell-stricken? Remember thou art 

damned. 
Temper'st thine angelic reveries here? 
Take holy water, cross thyself and smirk. 

l^With sneering sarcasm^ 

And thou they called a man of Blood and 

Iron. 
Get chalice, bells and censers, Chancellor. 
Let babies play, eh, 'stead of drowning 

them? 
See how he frames his eyes! Who else 

will speak? 
The giant work called Bismarck is a sham, 
The royal victory of Sedan a rout. 
And yet despite these present blemishes, 
It seems no farther ofiF than yesterday 
That he and I were standing hand in hand 
Within the palace walls of fair Versailles 



38 The Great Conspiracy 

Drawing a contract for the ruin of man. 
Thou art a shrivelled warrior, Bismarck. 
What pity 'tis there is a thing called soul. 
[^Growing excited at the apparent calm- 
ness of Bismarck] 

hear me out of Hell! Thou wouldst 
grow kind? 

Hast claim upon Celestial Virtue? Trust 

not, 
Contrarius shade — my war on Heaven 

may 
Be vain, but there on earth I will be king. 

[To Attila] 
Attila, arm thou now; with hell-flames go 
As soon as thou hast heard my full intent. 
Unbosom all our smooth hypocrisies 
Against the laws of nature and of land; 
With wiles and thy resistless Ways, O 

Hun, 
Warble some charms of praise, of power, 

or then 
Lest it perhaps offend some, talk of peace ; 
Be double-mouthed in thy diplomacy. 

1 know thy traits — fain use them well; 
benumb 

The reason of that Prussian dynasty. 



The Great Conspiracy 39 

[^Pointing sceptre at BiSMARCK] 

Why so confused, Bismarck? Ill-timed 

pride 
In thy kultur and militaristic dream? 
Aye, worst of all, destroyed will be their 

ends. 

[^Glancing maliciously towards RICH- 
ARD] 

As well the conceit of yon British swine, 
Attempered too with force and fraud or 

crime 
And crazed to colonizing all the globe. 

\^Addressing himself to all^ 

Hear my decree, witness my domination: 

[Risingy Satan outspreads his arms to 
appear like huge wings~\ 

Ye co-eternal Birds! No vulture's risen 
From out the orbits of the sky to fall 
Upon more nests of low-roofed misery. 
In conscience lies the engine of all deeds — 
In sooth there's conscience in my pedigree. 
We know the majesty of thought as well 
And feel ambition rush through every 

vein. 
My conscience so aglow is out for war, 



40 The Great Conspiracy 

Such war as only spirits can conjure 
Within their bodiless mentality. 
But voice is prattle, action is what counts : 
So to my task of foul disfigurement. 

[Turning again to AttilA] 

Go thou forth, Attila, all now's at stake 

In trusting this to thine ability. 

Light there the flame o'er trembling 

Christ ascendant; 
Let chaos intervolve without remorse; 
On everything that's mortal turn my 

wrath ; 
Each town shall bear the imprint of thy 

hand 
And all the vales that front the falling 

sun. 
Let babes be slaughtered, cathedrals 

tumbled down, 

[7w low diabolical tones~\ 

And enter thou the sacred nunneries; 
And listen why: dost feel the virtue of 
The mazes they are unacquainted with? 
'Tis 'gainst my glory they be ignorant. 
Steal into Alpine valleys, sunset-lustered 
With tiny villages, each with its spire 



The Great Conspiracy 41 

And clear stream lined with lilies musical 
Where azure children bathe in merri- 
ment. 
Wave me down progress of thy deeds done 
there. 

[^Short pauze~\ 

Rape mothers, daughters, all, beneath the 
moon : 

[Looking upward and at the same time 
making an encircling gesture with 
his forefinger^ 

O withered dowager! thou'll drip down 

blood 
Indeed when earth is made thy paramour. 
Say, my Peers, it will be the rarest sport. 
Both lust and thievery shall vie with me 
In loathsome rays of beastly force and 

crime. 

[Bidding them all disperse^ 

Go all of you apart. 

[Glancing upward again~\ 

Thou, Christ, doth fawn 
From fear, and cause Thou hast indeed. 
Come, come! 



42 The Great Conspiracy 

Rise Massacre! rise Passion, Madness, 

Fury! 
And go thou, Attila, I bid thee fly. 
Though there thou'lt be in my society. 

Attila. 

I'll do the business. King, and Heaven 

will gaze 
In wonder at. Surely I've stayed too 

long 
In this Stygian pit. To Chalons-plain! 
But first to Potsdam veiled in infamy 
I'll sow thy glozing seeds of butchery. 
\^Amid sudden flashes of lightning and 
rolling thunder AttILA rushes to- 
wards the opening. The throngs 
follow him in great confusion, some 
uttering cries in rage against, while 
others seem to acclaim the mission. 
Satan from his throne watches the 
scene intently for a moment, then 
slowly rolls back his huge eyes into a 
fixed expression of malice and satis- 
faction^ 

CURTAIN 



SCENES II AND III 



SCENE II 

A small dimly lighted study in the Imperial Palace 
of Potsdam. 
It is night. 

Panoplies of armor reminiscent of the middle ages 
glimmer on the walls. 

There is a small door to the left at back. Adjacent 
to this is distinguished a bust of Napoleon resting 
on a pedestal. The curtain rising, the "All-High- 
est" is discovered in full military uniform sitting in 
front of his desk. Resting on his elbows with head 
between his hands he is vainly endeavoring to keep 
awake. 

The '^ All-Highest" {moving his withered 

arm and gazing at the wall) . 
Ah, why was I so eminently reared 
In this creation to stare at rusting armor 
And moldering escutcheons? Useless 
Are all my regiments of burnished steel. 
The creed proclaimed that I with God 

should rule 
In formulae far wider than His own. 
Why then is greatness so abstemious? 

[Glancing at the bust of NapOLEON] 



46 The Great Conspiracy 

And thou, Conquest, for centuries en- 
throned 

Among the consecrated gods, thinned thus 

By fasting to a skeleton? 'Tis strange. 

What sudden wrath could change this an- 
gel child 

Of peace, this trifle in the universe? 

Can gods learn anything except from 
God? 

Am I commended to diplomacy? 

Reluctantly I've grown to be its kin — 

Accursed or blessed be mine effigies. 

[^Rubbing his eyes'\ 

My soul is sick of this blank era, weary. 

Midnight, thou art a solemn hour indeed, 

Sole heir to all the virtues of the day. 
\_Drowsily'\ 

O sleep! how often we dispute thy com- 
ing, 

Yet full of thousand sweets — ah — ah — 

[Falls sound asleep^ 

[For a moment the stage is dark] 



SCENE III 

(Same as Scene II) 

\^A vivid flash of lightning. Enter 
suddenly AttILA with eyes ablaze. 
He is bedecked with helmet and ar- 
mor and bearing a large sword^ 

The "All-Highest" {leaning far back in his 
chair and staring wildly at the intruder) , 
Who — who art thou? 

AttILA (coming closer and grimly leaning for- 
ward on his sword). 

Be of good courage, sir, 
I'm not an owl-eyed ghost. 

The "All-Highest." 

Who art thou? Say! 
ATTILA (smiling). 

By providential arts I've come to thee 

To rouse the feeble — 

The "All-Highest." 

Thy name, illusion? 
Whence comest thou? 



48 The Great Conspiracy 

AttiLA {calmly). 

Of course from my frontier. 

[Glaring into his face~\ 

My progeny, canst thou not recognize 
The Scourge of God? Behold me, Attila! 

The "All-Highest" (excitedly). 

Madman! Or am I mad? Go get thee 
hence! 

Attila. 

I pray thee listen — 

The "All-Highest." 

Away, I say, away! 

Attila. 

Who rules the universe but those of 

strength? 

I was dispatched for thy offense and good. 

The "All-Highest" {more calmly). 

These must be dreamy phantoms, yet I 

feel 
There's blood still coursing in my frozen 

veins. 
What arts and curious shifts does mind 

devise? 
Oh it is little to be born a man 



The Great Conspiracy 49 

If brain must so become the jest of de- 
mons. 

ATTILA {philosophically). 

The shade of mind is that which makes 

the man; 
Its hue is dark or bright as he doth think. 
The adverse gods will seize the brooding 

soul 
And magnify each apprehension. 
As Fortune drifts to happy attitudes, 
The swifter will it rush to mighty deeds. 

The "All-Highest." 

Aye, aye, I see; but how camest thou 
here? 

Attila. 

My friend, had I not might which gave 
me right} 

The "All-Highest." 

No matter who thou art, that dogma's 
sound. 

Attila. 

The law's infirm and liberty's decayed: 
A fight is wiser than a host of words. 



50 The Great Conspiracy 

The "All-Highest." 

Indeed I'll say thou art a judge of truth. 

AttILA {familiarly). 

Here I foresaw thy thoughts before I 

came. 
Aren't we a race supreme in ancient wars? 

The "All-Highest." 

That's true in part but Attila's not "we." 

Attila. 

I swear that I am loth to leave thy side. 
\_With enthusiasm^ 

Could we not build scenes on our great 

desires? 
To each fine impulse give some entity 
Beyond the limits of this slothful age? 

The "All-Highest." 

Not without war — Prussia is civilized. 

Attila. 

Pardon thou art mistaken Emperor. 
To my rough soul so lately scarred with 

fire 
'Twas prophesied that thou wouldst be a 
god, 



The Great Conspiracy 51 

A War-Lord greater than the world has 
known. 

The "All-Highest." 

Wouldst thou tempt me with false pre- 
sentiments? 

Attila. 

Thou'st known the spirits of each glorious 
age? 

[Glancing toward the bust of NAPO- 
LEON] 
See! there is he upon that pedestal 
Whom Nature hangs in Heaven as a god. 

The "All-Highest" {with a smile). 

I never heard 'til now that he was there. 

Attila. 

The readiest way to heaven is by force. 

The "All-Highest." 

Thou soundest like a lion out of Hell. 

Attila. 

The hour of every great man's hope is 

war; 
To fight, then be immortal like myself. 

The "All-Highest" {sarcastically) . 

And him they sent down to St. Helena. 



^2 The Great Conspiracy 

Attila. 

Above our stars, now why not be the sun? 
[To himself, looking towards the bust 
with admiration, then glancing with 
contempt toward his companion^ 
The life of nobler ages hath decreed 
A fame for him that thou shalt never 
hold. 

The '^All-Highest." 

That was a sad reverse. I never would 

Surrender myself to an enemy. 

With unsuspected secrecy I'd fly 

And vanish straight into a neutral state. 

AttiIj\. 

Here's gold for such a journey — buy a 
mule! 

The "All-Highest." 

I do not feel as angry as I should. 

Attila. 

Why sit here like some slow-eyed whining 

Moor? 
Wilt thou not grasp thine opportunity? 
Or dost prefer to preach laments of peace 
Rhymed out in verses of diplomacy? 



The Great Conspiracy 53 

see thy Prussian eagles! witched and 
tamed 

Above a string of asses braying Hague 
Tribunals, Treaties, International Laws. 

The "All-Highest." 

My peoples, they enjoy the reign of peace. 

ATTILA. 

As blood is lent by nature, so is fire 
To raise the tides of our enthusiasm. 
Successful motives change the people's 

hearts, 
And all fair thinking knows Ambition 

well 
Can snub the title of equality. 

1 understood that thou wast valiant. 

The "All-Highest." 
I am no coward. 

Attila. 

But still thou art not great. 

The "All-Highest." 

I do believe I could be. 

Attila. 

Aye, thou couldst. 



54 The Great Conspiracy 

\^Impatiently^^ 
Get thee a cudgel and away with words; 
Make all a desolation but thy state. 

The "All-Highest." 

But how? My first real doubt is this, — 
but how? 

AttilA {in tones of coarse familiarity) . 

Say brother, France has been kicked once, 
n^est ce pas} 

The "All-Highest." 

But my friend England is allied to her; 
My mother is an English woman, too. 

Attila. 

Chief of the gods, why art thou pleased 

to jest? 
Be wise and cast thy British blood like 
this. 

[^Strikes his nose until it bleeds^ 

Wouldst thou be great and speak such 

sentiments? 
Take my advice, put softnesses away; 
Those things avail but they are not for 

Huns. 



The Great Conspiracy 55 

Go out and trample, rape, corrupt, and 
kill — 

That is no sudden change of policy. 

Come to the point again — thine army is 

Prepared I know; thou hadst discretion 
there 

And keen insight. If thou canst rule the 
world. 

Then falls the firmament at thy com- 
mand; 

Thou'lt be a counter-glory of the sun. 

See yonder sack of stars bow down to thee 

And turn to bloody rubies in thy path. 

How easy this — yet thou didst need my 
soul 

To think in iron and dream in cannons' 
roar. 

The ''All-Highest" {offended). 

Nay, nay, thou dost misjudge me, Attila; 
I've always been wrought to this very 

mood. 
Deny thou that — then why didst thou 

come here? 
The earth ailed first because I was not 

born 



56 The Great Conspiracy 

And Time turned only great when I ar- 
rived. 
'Tis true that Fm anointed of the Lord 
As thou hast said. 'Twas fated from the 
first. 

Attila. 

Aye, aye, draw swords and flash the fangs 

of Hell. 
Conventions, laws, thrice spit upon them 

all! 

The ^'All-Highest" {becoming enthusias- 
tic). 
That should be practised — thou art 

truly wise. 
Ah, there're no damned shades that ever 

lived 
That will not call on me. Is it not so? 
Thy progeny's a fiercer Hun than thou, 
The mailed fist is mightier than the 

Scourge. 

Attila {slyly). 

I do protest against comparisons. 

Abide 'til we draw thither, what thou art: 

Then we'll establish our confederacy. 



The Great Conspiracy 57 

[7*0 himself^ 

To dream myself into a shape like him — 
'Tis entertainment for a meaner eye. 
\^Loudly~\ 

Strike France and Russia simultaneously, 
Ere help come in from England to re- 
lieve : 
That is the main stake of my plan just 
now. 

The "All-Highest." 

But I would strike the weak primarily, 

For then we stab at wombs, which bear 
the strong. 

The French frontier forts are impregna- 
ble, 

Swarming with troops expectant of attack. 

Attila {suddenly raising his sword and in 
tones of contempt and satisfaction) . 

My Scourge is thine! Thou art the viler 
Hun. 

The "All-Highest." 

Where lies the error? Strike through 
Belgium! 

[There is a roll of thunder and flare of 



58 The Great Conspiracy 

lightning followed by total darkness. 
Suddenly, recognized by his toga and 
Imperial wreath, the figure of JU- 
LIUS CiESAR is discovered standing 
erect in the doorway. He slowly 
unfolds a parchment on which is 
drawn a map of Gaul. 

[Looking toward the "AlL-HiGHEST" 
and ATTILA with expressions of 
mingled pain, contempt, and anger, 
he passes his right forefinger over the 
parchment^ 

Julius C/ESAR {resting his finger at one point 
on the map) . 
The Belgians are the bravest of all Gaul! 

[The light goes out and the vision van- 
ishes. Stage totally dark^ 

Voice of Attila. 

To Chalons-plain! 

Voice of the ^^All-Highest." 

Aye, and to Paris! Come! 

CURTAIN 



SCENE IV 



SCENE IF 

Late in the afternoon. A battle-field in Flanders 
within the German lines. 

The curtain rising discloses rows of trenches in the 
outermost background, whence come cries and the 
roaring of artillery. Flames every now and then 
are seen to spurt up in the distance. To the left 
at back stands a field hospital towards which streams 
of wounded are being carried or borne on stretchers. 
In the foreground General von Hofen and Captain 
Harrach are discovered with other members of the 
staff. Some of the officers are standing while others 
are sitting about a large table littered with 
steins and bottles, papers, maps, telephones, and vari- 
ous military paraphernalia. A?i orderly stands by 
filling the General's glass and those of the other 
officers. 

[Enter LlEUT. HORST. He salutes VON 

Hofen] 

Von Hofen {to Horst). 
Well? 

Horst. 

The English are pressing our right wing 
and their artillery is well sheltered. 



62 The Great Conspiracy 

Von Hofen. 

Camouflaged, eh? Ten thousand thun- 
ders! Where are our reserves? [^Turn- 
ing to HarPw^CH]. Now Harrach, don't 
look so squeamish. Yonder gutless 
dogs will never send me to Kingdom 
Come with gazetted heroism and Yan- 
kee bullets. [^The officers clap their 
hands, raise their steins and laugh 
vociferously^. I will salute a French- 
man; if the day is hot I might even 
drink with a Zouave. We must admit 
that Foch at Ypres was a fighter; but 
never these British swine 

HarRACH {half 'intoxicated and peering to- 
ward the distant firing line). 
Ach! that was a great charge. God save 
the white-livered English now. They 
find our Uhlans, war-horses clothed in 
thunder. 

Von Hofen. 

Dust, smoke, shells, gas and fire — hell's 
breath — I'm sure there will be plenty 
of bleeding rags in the hospital to- 
night. Come, let us drink while slaugh- 



The Great Conspiracy 63 

ter runs in the warring winds. By the 
shade of Attila! we are done with sugar- 
sticks for swords, with teatime rules 
against barbarism and all such tomfool- 
ery that brings housewifery on the bat- 
tlefield and makes weaklings out of our 
goose-stepping regiments. [^Laughter^. 
Cold-blooded killing is what counts; 
anything else offends the devil. Make 
the hair of the enemy shiver and shrink 
at its roots. Drink ^'To the Day." Drink 
to war! To war that's life and butch- 
ery that's soul. 

\^Applause^ 

Harrach. 

Shoot 'em down — that's government. 

\^Applau5e^ 

Von Hofen {banging his fist on the table). 
Aye, Harrach! What the plague do we 
fight for? On to Paris! I'll give one 
hundred marks to the keen-eyed gunner 
who fells the first statue, Christ, Virgin, 
or saint off the fagade of Notre Dame. 

\_Applause^ 

Harrach. 

Feed the flames! care not what they burn! 



64 The Great Conspiracy 

HoRST {to Von Hofen). 

But my orders, General? There's anoth- 
er force to westward. 

Von Hofen {with eyes bleared and handing 
him a telegram) . 
What? Take this to the ranking officer 
of the Third Corps. By the time you 
arrive the English will be in retreat. 
[Applause]. But understand, I disap- 
prove of rural landscapes. Burn out 
every murmuring stream; destroy all 
villages and every flowery vale that give 
any alarm of habitation. I will not tol- 
erate any fawning or snuffing popula- 
tion ready to spring on my back at the 
first delightsome moment. Any dove- 
breasted virgins I leave to his own dis- 
cretion ; but after that presumptuous af- 
fair of the Bishop of Malines, if he 
chance upon any pray-bellying priests, 
let me have the pleasure of hearing 
them chant a few litanies in this camp. 
A score of these sots disembowelled on 
the steps of their altar would be better 
show than a bull fight. 



The Great Conspiracy 65 

[Laughter and applause'] 
[Exit HORST] 
[They sing ''Deutschland Uber Jlles''] 
[Sudden increase in the din of battle] 
[Exunt hurriedly all but VON HOFEN 
and HarraCH] 

Von Hofen (looking through his field glass 
toward the trenches) , 
Shivery shaky shots, Mein Gott! What's 
the matter with our barrage? [For a 
few seconds he scans the horizon con- 
cernedly and intently through his glass- 
es]. Ach, that's better! The swine are 
retreating again. [Lowers field glass] 

Harrach {to Von Hofen in undertones). 
Soft, sir, a word with you. There's a 
girl-house, I mean a nunnery in the 
nearby village. 

Von Hofen {laughing and nudging Har- 
RACH with his elbow). 
Well then, you can leave at once on fur- 
lough. [Nudging him again]. Shall 
we train our guns on it afterwards? 
Remember, always thorough, Harrach. 



66 The Great Conspiracy 

Harrach. 

They fly the Red Cross flag. 

Von Hofen. 

That's a good mark. But speaking of 
tangled tresses — how about that Brus- 
sels hospital nurse we captured in the 
last town honored by our goose-step- 
pers? 

Harrach. 

She's most solicitous of the wounded — a 
comely woman, and I am quite enam- 
oured with her. But she scorns all ad- 
vances — hence my love and hate are 
becoming balanced on the scales. 

Von Hofen. 

She's English, Harrach. A pox on these 
slander-mouthed English. They carry 
enough poison on their tongues to cor- 
rupt truth itself. 

Harrach {laughing). 

I professed a friendship for her, that was 
all. 

Von Hofen. 

Friendship is a dried fig, and what's more, 



The Great Conspiracy 67 

as sure a forerunner to love as yonder 
battle is to the coming rattle of our 
steins in the Cafe de Paris; 'twill 
be before All Saints Day. [^Turning 
to First Orderly and pointing towards 

the hospital']. Fetch Miss what's 

her name, Harrach? 

HARRACH (disconcertedly). 
Edith Vernon. 

[Exit First Orderly, saluting] 

Von Hofen. 

Don't look melancholy. I wouldn't coo 
in the same cage with your Anglo-Sax- 
on canary, but she must drink a glass 
of Rhenish wine with me. Always thor- 
ough, you know, always thorough. 
[Enter SECOND ORDERLY] 

Orderly (to Von Hofen). 

I have an English prisoner, an officer. I 
caught him lurking near a distant 
trench. 

Von Hofen. 

Officer, you say? A gallant Britisher? 
Bring the man here. [Turning to 



68 The Great Conspiracy 

HarrACH and imitating the English^. 
Egad! He's a slim featureless ass, I'll 
bet. 

Orderly. 

I have him blindfolded, sir, and guarded 
in a shell hole off the road. 

Von Hofen. 

Good! go fetch him here. 

{Exit Second Orderly, saluting^ 
[To Harrach] 

Don't mistake me, Harrach. As God 
made the sun the biggest pimple in 
the sky. He made no greater scandal in 
rags than a woman. Fortune takes the 
weaker sex under her protection, but 
Kultur must lead it now out of that 
monotony. As for your nurse, I could be 
charmed with Cleopatra's art without 
falling in love with her face. How- 
ever, if you are becoming an amorous 
puppy, I repeat: here's your furlough. 
Go get you to the nunnery. My own 
affair is war at present — that despite 
the fact that my way of making it seems 
to disappoint the blessings of Provi- 



The Great Conspiracy 69 

dence. Our talk is reduced to this,— 
shall we die heroes or live Germans? 
[Harrach proffers him another glass 
of beer']. For myself, I'd rather feed 
on garbage behind yonder trenches than 
eat the sweetest meats in some flower- 
fringed paradise, even be those meats 
fed me from the fingers of all the con- 
juring angels. [Raising his glass]. No, 
I'm not afraid of death either. Here's 
to the Fatherland ! Our Emperor says, 
"Tis well — God rules and thus — I 
rule.'' 

[Enter SECOND ORDERLY leading pris- 
oner blindfolded] 

Von Hofen. 

Unbandage his eyes and let me see this 
man. 

[The Orderly removes the bandage 
roughly] 

[Sir John Steele is discovered] 

Harrach. 

Of all the rogues these English are the 
worst. 



70 The Great Conspiracy 

Sir John {to Von Hofen) . 

I understand, sir, youVe the General. 

Von Hofen. 

You understand correctly, I am he. 
[^Walking closer, breast out, and curl- 
ing his mustache^ 
Where is your main force? Out now, 

out with it. 
We're here to teach you Kultur, British- 
er. 
Gott! English manners are intolerable. 

Sir John {placing hand on left shoulder). 
Cannot you see I'm wounded. General? 

Von Hofen {to Harrach). 

Give him a drink, Harrach — your par- 
don, sir. 

Our business though is war. Where is 
that force? 

'Tis blissful to be brief — now answer me. 

Sir John. 

I am so dazed, I really do not know. 

Von Hofen {to the Second Orderly). 

Then search him. You know we must be 
thorough, eh? 



The Great Conspiracy 71 

War is a business when if s for the world. 
Think what destruction means to us — 

Sir John [suddenly and fiercely interrupting 

Von Hofen). 
Your business war? O God I wish it were. 
I love the full tide gushes of real war, 
Of bravest men faring as they should fare 
'Gainst burnished steel and anger grati- 
fied. 
But what is this, your war today, I ask? 
I am your prisoner, men, but pardon me. 
'Tis not great armies meeting in the clash 
And frenzy of heroic single battle. 
Where bravery was the master of the day 
And valor was the victor on the field. 
Your war is on the sanctuaries, upon 
The emblems of the silent centuries. 
On venerated age, on dear-loved homes 
Where little children bask in innocence. 
No pagan star e'er shone upon such deeds 
As you invoke to guide the chance of fight. 

HARRACH. 

Silence this man! 

Von Hofen. 

No, let him babble on. 



72 The Great Conspiracy 

Sir John. 

This war^s the flower of the Christian race 
Torn, withered, hungry, starving, bleed- 
ing,— aye, 
Up to its knees in icy water. This war 
Confines its pleasures to the dark; eyes 
used 

[Pointing upward^ then downward^ 

From Zeppelins overhead, from periscopes 

Beneath the sea, havoc upon the souls 

Who strive to give your wounded succor. 
O men. 

Are you not officers, — each with your 
homes? 

In righting wrong must you needs wrong 
the right? 

Avenging strength must you attack the 
weak? 

Did Bliicher fight such course to Water- 
loo? 

In his quick march across fair Flanders- 
field 

Did such afflictions mar her fertile plains? 

Did Bismarck war upon bereaved women, 

Outrage the nunneries and sacred priests? 



The Great Conspiracy 73 

Did your great Frederick or his legion- 
aries 
Tear down the shrines of God's antiquity? 

Von Hofen. 

Herrgottsakrament! Our good beer has 
made you an orator, my fellow. Mod- 
ern war does not recognize authorities. 
What's to come? Were Gaul not being 
invaded by greater ones than Julius 
Caesar, I would recall Antony to in- 
voke all the hymns and blasphemies of 
the vengeful gods. The truth on it is 
this: since we are outlaws to any con- 
genital mixture of knight-errantry and 
decaying law-breeders, I will face the 
progeny of all these maledictions my- 
self. Moreover, your comparisons are 
very poor. They can all be laid flat by 
breaking into a cellar of good wine or 
charging among the drones of these fair 
village virgins. The first rule in our 
receipt book is, "Necessity knows no 
law." Pish! you sneer? Well, we're 
here to desecrate, to rend Gothic 
shrines; fire prostrate altars, sacred pic- 



74 The Great Conspiracy 

tures and crucifixes; cut the throats of 
children and the aged: with such meth- 
ods alone can we strike a degenerate 
people to its knees and end this carnage. 
In other words, rape, betray, destroy, 
appal, and kill! Am I plain? Are we 
thorough? One does not know how or 
what to believe in, so the safest thing 
to do is to believe in nothing but force. 
Reputation based on anything else is 
cowardice. So youVe wasted your 
breath. Englishman — wasted your 
breath. However, considering your 
wounded shoulder, and out of respect 
for that fiery speech, I will parole you 
until evening. Come into my tent, sir. 
Any further odds we will adjust there. 
An enemy's kindness frequently exceeds 
a friend's. Besides I am always thor- 
ough, always thorough. 

[Exit Von Hofen and Sir John] 

[Edith is discovered approaching. She 
is garbed in nurse^s costume^ 

Harrach. 

She comes! Ah, could she be decoyed 
from here 



The Great Conspiracy 75 

And yield consent to my great passion? 
I'll try to win her through some strata- 
gem. 

[Enter the nurse, EdiTH VerNON] 

Edith {to Harrach). 

Von Hofen sent for me? 

Harrach. 

He's not here now. 

Edith. 

Then I'll return to my poor suffering 
men. 

[Sudden increase in the roar of battle. 
Flames spurt up along the trench 
line~\ 

O God! how canst Thou look upon this 

chaos 
Where works the will of hell's tyrannous 

fiend? 
Downtrodden and forsaken seems the 

world, 
Indeed, from Thine Eternal Spirit lost. 
My young life yet may fill some fatal part 
In high allegiance or in sacrifice. 

[Looking towards the hospital^ 



76 The Great Conspiracy 

The hospital there writhes beneath a pall; 
Most frightful agonies Ambition sows 
To fashion out its vile supremacy. 
Hear them! tho' speech is much less ter- 
rible 
'Twixt these few feet and the reality. 
"O God, water, water!" '^My brow, my 

head!" 
''Mine arms hang loose — I'm crushed." 
And then 'tis horrible their cries — wav- 
ing 
Their mangled hands and bloody wrists, 

— poor half- 
Grown boys just torn from school. "I 

thirst." "I'm blind." 
"Mother!" "Curse all this!" "I am going 

West!" 
Then, "Nurse, for God's sake put an end 
to me!" 

Harrach. 

Fraulein, why waste your passion on such 

things 
While I am tangled in your loveliness? 

Edith {with a frown) . 

Please tell the General I'll return later. 



The Great Conspiracy 77 

Harrach. 

Your beauty rivals all the stars. Stay — 
stay! 

Edith. 

Talk less of stars and note your manners, 

sir. 
'Tis duty I obey and not you, Captain. 

Harrach. 

In any case you might talk to me, dear. , 
War is my dawn but you are my sunrise. 

Edith. 

Pray have at least the grace of silence. 

Harrach. 

Ach, 

Be patient, gentle girl, and learn of me. 

I am in love ; the autumn's night is short. 

Edith {interrupting him in ringing tones of 
scorn) . 

How dare a Prussian mention love to me! 

Harrach. 

O beauteous dazzling eyes! come, come, 
sweet lips! 

\^He attempts to kiss her; she slaps him 
across the face^ 



78 The Great Conspiracy 

Harrach. 

Is it the penalty of love, my dear, 

To suffer by the hand that it would kiss? 

A stroke in jest may oft prove grave, 

Fraulein. 
Wounded affections, too, may scar to hate. 

Edith. 

All vilest scars are skins of Huns to me. 

Harrach. 

Now for your own sake be a little wise. 
The blessed spirits aren't so mad in 

Heaven 
That you should spurn a Prussian officer. 

[^Tenderly^ 

Why choke my sighs? Have you no hu- 
man heart? 

What meanings haunt the depths of those 
sweet eyes. 

Their drooping lashes and their angry 
dews? 

Away with corpses, bandages, and 
shrouds — 

Come with me, Edith dear, come, leave 
this place. 



The Great Conspiracy 79 

Edith. 

Silence! you fool, you clown, you scuttling 
spider! 

HaRRACH {becoming angry) . 

'Tis not good sense you chide me so. I 
could 

Forget and expose here the crafty methods 

That you've for weeks employed in se- 
cret — known 

To none but me — this aiding prisoners 
to 

Escape our lines. Now your eyes glare 
indeed. 
\^Patronizingly~\ 

No, you're my own beloved. O come to 
me. 

Edith {aside). 

My God, that I'm alone in such a camp ! 

HarrACH {becoming angry and threatening 
her again) . 

Know for your country it is sweet to die? 
Better the briefest dreams, my sweet, than 

all 
Eternal promises. Give me those lips 



8o The Great Conspiracy 

With love between the rims ; cling to each 

other 
In luscious touch until each breath turns 

flame. 

[Sir John is seen approaching] 
Your form is streaming light, — a kiss, a 

kiss! 

\^He seizes and kisses her. She strug- 
gles'] 

[Enter SiR JOHN who rushes up and 
throws HarRACH aside, EDITH and 
Sir John recognize each other] 

Edith {rushing into his arms), 

O John ! how came you here? Quick, tell 
it me. 

Sir John. 

A prisoner. 

Edith. 

Oh, that is terrible! 

Yet we may find some door of hope to- 
gether. 

Sir John. 

My darling, tell me, are you nursing 
here? 



The Great Conspiracy 8 1 

Alas, are you also held prisoner? 

HARRACH. 

Break off this English blasphemy. 

Enough ! 
You, man, have struck a Prussian officer. 
As for that fairy-face — leave her to me. 

[To himself^ 
Better her lovely form be shattered now 
Than any other man should look upon it. 

[Insultingiyi 
Hail, nurse! throw off your drapery. 

Sir John {loudly and shaking fist in Har- 
RACH'S face). 

You dog! 
{Enter VON HOFEN] 

Von Hofen. 

Now what's this rumpus here? Har- 
rach, why these shadowy faces conjur- 
ing and frowning in the realm of my 
command? [Looking towards SiR 
John]. No defiance, now, my Eng- 
lishman. I would be very sorry, very 
sorry indeed, to have to shoot you. 

Sir John. 

I must protect a woman, sir. 



82 The Great Conspiracy 

Edith {calmly). 

Ill deeds 
Make fair ones shine. That man insulted 

me. 
Your prisoner, who is an old dear friend, 
Protected me from him and that was all. 

Von Hofen {to Edith). 

You have attractive graces, I'll admit. 

[To Sir John] 
Islander, you've respect for your parole? 

Sir John. 

Aye, sir, but I respect our women more. 

Von Hofen. 

Bah! I want no arguments. Great war- 
riors have a privilege with women, 
though the sex weakens the joints of 
armies. Harrach, take your honey- 
sipping butterfly! The second rule in 
our receipt book is, "All's fair in love 
and war." Be thorough, Harrach, al- 
ways thorough. 

[Exit Von Hofen] 

Harrach {seizing Edith by the wrist). 
There is no gift that is too poor to give 



The Great Conspiracy 83 

If love be in the offering. Is that 
Not so? 

[Edith snatches her arm away, moves 
quickly towards SiR JOHN, HaR- 
RACH following her^ 

Sir John. 

Now keep your hands from her, I say. 

Harrach (to Sir John). 

These are the fights of blood, of rage and 
passion. 

[To Edith] 

I advise you now to come, my dolly. No? 
How many prisoners have you let escape? 
There is a penalty called death for that. 

Sir John (startled). 

What does he mean, Edith? 

Harrach {scornfully). 

She is a spy. 
Sir John (furiously). 

You wolf, you hound, you Hun upsprung 

from Hell, 
You crime-begetter drenched in women's 

blood. 
Withdraw those words! 



84 The Great Conspiracy 

HARRACH {with a sneer). 

Aren't you an Englishman? 

\^Rushes to the table, picks up a sword 
and hands it to SiR John] 

Now cross swords with me. In guard! 

By the Scourge 
Of Attila, Britisher, you're to die. 

Edith. 

O it's my fault! I cannot — dare not look. 

Sir John {as they parry and fight). 

You love the blood hue? Teach us Kul- 
tur? ha! 

The world and nothing more? Come 
on, you fool! 

Step back, step back vice, crime, per- 
versity! 

What now, a hit? Not much — again in 
guard! 

Harrach. 

Your Red Cross minx will be my bride 
tonight. 

Sir John. 

Your kind should taste my boot and not 
good steel. 



The Great Conspiracy 85 

[With a vicious thrust^ 
In Hell, you'll tie some marriage-knot — 
[stabs him] ha, there! 
[HaRRACH falls as VON HOFEN rushes 
in with a number of officers and other 
men] 

Von HOFEN (roflnw^). 

Order here! order, attention! [Glaring at 
Edith and Sir John]. Seize that man 
and woman! Ten thousand Satans! 
Are you wounded, Harrach? [To SiR 
John], Hang it in the clouds, you'll 
be shot for this. 

Edith. 

O General! 

Von Hofen {to Edith). 

Hold your profane tongue! [Shaking his 
finger at her]. Wench of love and lust! 
This comes of having petticoats prittle- 
prattling into men's affairs. The best 
kissing lips in the universe are not 
worth a drop of Prussian blood. 
[Harrach with the aid of an Orderly 

raises himself feebly and addresses 

Von Hofen] 



86 The Great Conspiracy 

Harrach. 

Friend Karl, I'm done for: yet remember 

this 
As I now leave these fields of victory — 

[^Pointing to EdiTH] 
Your judgment passed on them is more 

than true. 
The frailest stem hath strength to push 

through stones, 
The sweetest rose has oft the sharpest 

thorns ; 
All women come from Satan's flattering 

brood. 
That sex is born deceitful, aye, opaque 
In nature and in soul. 'Tis past conjec- 
ture. 
These winsome shapes should rule man's 

destiny. 

[Voice becomes weaker but he still 
points at EdiTH] 

I was partial to her, despite my duty. 
'Twas a foolish passion in the midst of 

war. 
But still was she deserving of aught else? 
Can you suppose she's nursing mangled 

limbs 



The Great Conspiracy 87 

Save in pretending trust? I speak the 

truth. 
She is a spy! I've known it long. She's 

aided 
Some hundred prisoners to escape our 

lines. 
The record of it all is in my tent. 
Upon mine honor that led to this quarrel. 

[Leaning heavily on the arm of an OR- 
DERLY sinks to the ground^ 

May Hell's infernal rivers burn the Brit- 
ish! 

Farewell, my friend! I bid you all fare- 
well! 

Urge the necessity of blood and iron, 

And sign another armistice at Versailles. 

The earth is half won — ''To the day!" 
'The day!" 

The sun is dark'ning! Fatherland! Sa- 
lute! 

[Diesl^ 
[Von HoFEN and the others hare their 
heads^ 

Von Hofen. 

There lies a noble partner to our glory, 
a soldier whom the All-Seer is now 



88 The Great Conspiracy 

proudly welcoming. Come men! Give 
him a befitting burial. I will attend, 
too. 

{Exeunt ORDERLIES bearing body of 
HarRACH on a stretcher'] 

[Von HofEN turns roughly to EdiTH 
and Sir John, at the same time beck- 
oning soldiers] 

Hold one moment! Dispatch that pair 
to Brussels for trial — the man on a 
charge of murder, the woman as a spy. 
[The hands of both EdiTH and SiR 
John are roughly bound behind their 
backs. Von Hofen walks closer to 
Edith with a malicious grin on his 
face]. The penalties are much the 
same, you know. Yes, you'll be tickled 
then my little hell-cat. Do you under- 
stand the mathematics of our law? Life 
is a slippery thing, eh? Chaplain in 
the adventure — prattle maxims — kiss 
Crucifix — mystery grows — begin to 
feel supernatural and so on, ha, ha, ha! 

Edith {angrily). 
O you fiend! 



The Great Conspiracy 89 

Von HofeN {continuing his insulting tone). 
Nay, wait a while. Ruddier fruit I nev- 
er dreamed could bear anger on Cleo- 
patra's brow. But I'm not tempted, 
nor would I be Marc Antony cushioned 
between those heaving breasts. There's 
more to win in Paris and across your 
Channel. [Glancing towards SiR JOHN, 
who is seen fiercely endeavoring to 
break from his guard]. We're not 
monsters nor Cupid-killers, but — 
ahem — merely thorough, very thor- 
ough, always thorough. 
[Exeunt guards with Edith and SiR 

John followed by Von Hofen] 
CURTAIN 



SCENE V 



SCENE V 

Brussels, Belgium. Late in the evening. Official 
quarters in the residence of Baron Freiderick von 
der Achen. A sombre but brightly lighted room. 
The walls are covered with maps, plans of recent 
campaigns, etc., while from the ceiling hang multi- 
colored captured flags. The curtain rising, the 
Baron is discovered seated at his desk, adjusting vol- 
umes, letters, and telegrams. 

[Enter an AlDE, saluting] 

Aide. 

Excellency, the Spanish and American 
Ministers are present and must see you 
on important business. 

Von der Achen. 

Show them in. 

[Exit Aide] 

These diplomats are pests. Would that 
we were at war with all the world, thus 
not have to mouth off phrases of false 
friendship into the ears of lukewarm 
neutrality. I know theyVe come about 
that English woman. It would be a fig 



94 The Great Conspiracy 

of a fortune, indeed, if we could escape 
the fox-moves of these neutral states. 
Lusitania? Horrors, consternation! 
Shells shipped to disembowel a whole 
nation? Dollars, cents, prevarication! 

[Enter AMERICAN and SPANISH MIN- 
ISTERS. They salute and shake hands 

with Von der Achen] 

American Minister. 

We've come upon a mission of clemency. 
[Von der Achen bows and appoints 
them each to chairs near his desk^ 

We hear Miss Edith Vernon is con- 
demned. 

Von der Achen (coldly). 

The woman and her so-called lover, 'tis 
true. 

Spanish Minister. 

We plead for him — for her we must 
have mercy. 

Von DER Achen (positively). 

All phases were presented; the trial was 

just; 
His Majesty could not have intervened. 



The Great Conspiracy 95 

I'll grant no hearing in the other's case. 

American Minister {hopefully). 

She is a woman — you cannot shoot a wo- 
man. 

Von der Achen. 

Sirs, I appreciate those sentiments, 

But there's no criminal code in all the 
world. 

Least that of war, which should make 
that distinction. 

In the premeditation lies the crime. 

Intention being the same in man or wo- 
man. 

The genius and the injury are alike: 

The punishment then must also be equal. 

Among our Russian prisoners many wo- 
men 

We found in man's attire. Had these 
girls fallen 

Would we have been accused of barbar- 
ism? 

Why then in this case, sirs? She chose 
her role. 

Did not she willingly expose herself 

Just as her Russian allies did in battle? 



96 The Great Conspiracy 

American Minister. 

But sir, she acted with a higher motive. 
Such action should be met with higher 
mercy. 

Spanish Minister. 

To think else, sir, would be a cold pre- 
tense. 

Von DER ACHEN {impatiently), 

I beg your pardon, gentlemen, your par- 
don. 
The welfare of the nation is prior 
To that of any individual. 
In this prisoner the motives were not 

base. 
They rose from patriotism — I presume 
To seal that patriotism then, with death 
In faces of the enemy there in battle 
Is neither greater fame nor less a duty 
Than sealing it with such an end as this. 

[Enter BARONESS excitedly'] 

The Baroness. 

O Fritz! Tell me about this English 

nurse. 
Choose not women for the spoils of war. 



The Great Conspiracy 97 

She must not die! I had a dreadful dream 
Like Pontius Pilate's wife. Be merciful! 

Spanish Minister {bowing to the Baroness). 
That is our cause and what we've pled, 
Senora. 

The Baroness. 

Remorse of conscience is akin to Hell, 
By Victory, Change, or Time uncomfort- 
ed. 

Von DER AchEN {impatiently). 

An eflfect of humor, dear, rny wife, and 

now 
Justice cannot give ears to women's 

dreams. 

The Baroness. 

May she then see her lover before death? 
Your gracious Chaplain also pled for this. 

American Minister. 

'Twould be a kindly favor to my State. 

The Baroness. 

And this you must do, Fritz, you will do, 
please! 

[Von DER ACHEN hesitates, goes out of 



98 The Great Conspiracy 

the room for a moment and is seen 
consulting with an Aide] 

Von DER ACHEN {reentering). 

I'll grant it, gentlemen. But I have no 
jurisdiction over these sentences. The 
woman dies at sunrise; the man will be 
executed at noon. 

\^The Ministers take their leave cold- 
ly, leaving the BARONESS and her 
husband alonel 

CURTAIN 



SCENES VI, VII, AND VIII 



SCENE VI 

Death cell in the military prison of Brussels. The 
door is directly in the center of the left wall. A 
small heavily grated window to the left at back 
admits the last flood-light of a waning moon, while 
in the distance the first frail streaks of dawn appear. 
In the foreground is a plain wooden table on which 
a feeble lamp is burning. Against the right wall 
is an iron bed before which as the curtain rises, 
Edith is discovered kneeling in prayer. 
The tramp of the heavy prison guard is heard at 
regular intervals. 

Edith. 

My God, my Comforter and dear Re- 
deemer! 
I am no more mine own, my soul is Thine, 
And all its dreams are laid before Thy 
feet. 

[^Rising softly from the side of the bed 
she glances up at the window^ 

So still! 

\^Clasping now one of the window bars 
she gazes intently at the stars^ 



I02 The Great Conspiracy 

There nothing wakes as yet except 
The watchful stars. Dear little shining 

jewels 
Of God, perhaps you grieve for me. Tell 

me, 
What wealth of sorrow youVe lo'oked) 

down upon. 
O watchers stung with pain! So strange 

your silence, 
Yet prudent in such evil times as these. 
And thou, fair moon, drifting in fleecy 

clouds. 
Dost weep for Edith too? O bear with 

me! 
Pour down thy tears and give my soul 

thy light. 
Tears are indeed the right of grief. 
But lo! Is this the dawn that I must 

leave? 
May I no longer breathe its sacred 

myrrh? 
No longer hear the birds — their carols 

sung 
In notes that rise in woodland cadences 
Across the ferny air and tranquil pools? 
Now comes the morn, so tenderly, so soft 



The Great Conspiracy 103 

Upon the quiet dawn. The dawn love- 
pining 
Doth rise to meet the bridal rays of day. 
My life sets with the rising sun and day 
Then drops her golden mantle on my 

name. 

[Pacing slowly about the cell~\ 
Am I afraid to die? I do not know. 
Thoughts sometimes speak with words in 

slumber's chair 
And from their unseen lips cry out our 

woe. 
Strange we must answer at the point of 

death 
All those, our faults and follies, and to 

whom? 
For whom? What hath been should be 

ever — that's 
The account of Fate, which audits naught 

beyond 
The brazen urn that holds his remnant 

figures. 
Our chances run and at the worst we end. 
Life has no meaning in reality; 
It comes unasked and goes like heaven's 

air. 



I04 The Great Conspiracy 

Condemned to die — O God, to die alone! 
No father, mother — aye, to die alone. 
In all the other paths of Nature we 
Do move in company, and yet in Death 
We tread alone. Fain doth it seem there- 
in 
That Godly Nature is unnatural. 

[Approaching the table she picks up a 
small picture of her sister, and while 
looking at it intensely, commences to 
sob and laugh hysterically, at the 
same time moves backwards toward 
the window^ 

Sister! the visions of our childhood here? 
In these dark prison wallls? O Margaret! 
Tiny, Tiny, come to the playroom, dear! 
Midst toys and dolls; then read our fairy 

tales : 
Sweet little joys in innocence and play. 

[More calmly^ 

I then knew not this unrelenting world, 
Though drifting toward the top of steep 

rocked sorrow. 
What has its mass of later years revealed? 
So unexpected, therefore sadder still; 



The Great Conspiracy 105 

Yet such has ever been since world was 
world. 

[^Drying her eyes with her handker- 
chief she becomes more composed. 
Sitting at the table she writes a letter 
to her mother and sister, murmur- 
ing the words as she writes them^ 

Dear mother, my beloved, and Margaret: 
If ever you receive this letter you 
Will know your little Edith's then in 

Heaven, 
Across the pearled threshold to Our 

Father. 
Light issues forth beneath this darkness 

rayed 
In red, while flaming arms now lift their 

dead 
To everlasting realms of Victory. 

[^Pausing a moment~\ 

With all I have but little fear to die; 
I've touched and lived with death these 

weeks so oft 
That mine seems lesser in reality. 
Here standing, rising to a higher crown, 
All dread's removed ; my sorrows pause 

beneath 
A tender sweetness for diviner things. 
Farewell, sweet Margaret! Safest is your 

home 



io6 The Great Conspiracy 

With mother. Precious mother, be 
consoled, 

In giving much you had to Freedom's 
cause. 

Farewell, beloved, O sad confusion! 

Why, why, have I so long a tale here writ? 

Just heed my prayers and kiss these sleep- 
less eyes. 

I clasp you now in spirit, dear, my love; 

With that embrace go to Eternity. 

[^She folds and seals the letter^ 

'Tis finished, yet they will suffer more 

than L 
Unfair again seems Nature's hand, when 

it 
Doth bring to helpless ones our sorrow, 

aye, 
And chiefest hers, the heart that gave us 

life. 
My soul will climb, will falter and be 

sped. 
Will those with tears but pay me pity's 

debt? 

\_Sorrowfully^ 

Two- thirds of life the wise men say is to 
Have grieved. What am I? Was I af- 
ter all? 



The Great Conspiracy io7 

[With great agitation, pressing her 
temples with her fingers^ 

You seeing eyes, you feeling nerves, and 
thou 

My memoried mind, how has my being 

changed? 
Time, in advance, doth bring on misery. 
O why this fear of death within my heart 
When even in the zenith of the day 
We feel the rayless majesty of night? 
So oft the only thing worth while in life 
Is the memory of a great sorrow. 

Voice from without. 
My child ! 

Edith. 

The Chaplain's voice! 

[Enter a CHAPLAIN] 

O comforter! 
For hours IVe waited and prepared my- 
self. 

Chaplain. 

Courage, tomorrow hath no yesterday. 

Edith {weeping). 

No, no, I have it not. O I am lost! 



io8 The Great Conspiracy 

Chaplain. 

Have you not all of earth you would of. 
child? 

Edith [drying her eyes). 

I know that I so ill deserve this fa^e. 

Chaplain. 

But death locks in all sorrow, finally. 

Edith. 

Ah, then my sentence has not been com- 
muted? 

[The Chaplain shakes his head sor- 
rowfully^ 

Why do I tremble? Because I am afraid, 
I cannot stand against that dreadful wall. 
Weak is a lonely woman! Do not leave 
me! 

[Rushing again to the window^ 

There! star by star the night turns into 
day. 

Chaplain. 

But stars still shme when all the day is 
past. 



The Great Conspiracy 109 

Edith. 

O hear the larks and sparrows chirping 

near! 
Alas, could I live as they live, awakened 
From slumber by no fearful morning 

beam. 
But only bliss upon the unstirred leaves. 

[^Turning in sudden terror^ 
Death! what a fathomless abyss is death! 

[To the Chaplain] 
An angel's arm cannot that pit destroy 
Despite your teachings of a Paradise 
Which smothers souls in immortality. 

\^A knock is heard at the cell door. 
Edith, trembling with terror, turns 

to the Chaplain] 
The hour? O no, O no, as yet 'tis dark. 
[Another knock^ 

Voice from without. 

A visitor — 

[Edith and the Chaplain approach 

the door as it is pushed open~\ 
[Enter SiR JOHN STEELE] 
[The guards are discovered without^ 



no The Great Conspiracy 

[^Exit the Chaplain with a smile and 
gesture of consolation toward EdiTH] 

Sir John {clasping Edith, who falls almost 

fainting in his arms). 

Edith, my love, my love! 
\^Long pause as EDITH weeps on her 

lover^s shoulder^ 
[With desperate appeal^ 

O Jesus, Son of His Eternal Mercy! 
First and last in midst and without end, 
Why hast Thou so forsaken my beloved? 

Edith {partly recovering herself, smiling). 
O my dear angel! darling of my soul! 
They could not keep the bars between our 

hearts. 
It is not strange to see that you are here; 
Each moment has been guiding me to you. 

Sir John {in undertones) . 
All, all is shadow — 

Edith. 

Nay, look in mine eyes 

Whose tears flow out in very happiness 

To lights of heaven. But could this be a 

dream? 



The Great Conspiracy 1 1 1 

My nature's half transformed from sor- 
rowing. 

Sir John {kissing her passionately) . 

Do you not feel these kisses on your lips 
Issuing fresher love as each is given. 

Edith. 

A thousand more ! But then — how came 

you here? 
Some very angel must have planned it, 

dear. 
How happened it? how was it possible? 

Sir John. 

The gracious Chaplain was responsible. 
How he arranged it, that I do not know; 
But I must take you from this place of 
death. 

Edith {bitterly). 

Aye, lash the rising sun back into night? 
I see no rescue, sweet love — let it pass. 

Sir John. 

I too am doomed to die before sunset. 
[Edith drops her head; hut suddenly 
raises it again. A radiant smile lights 
her countenance^ 



112 The Great Conspiracy 

Edith. 

Then I shall never leave you, dear, never! 
Life but begins at this the hour we die. 

Sir John. 

Those eastward stationed clouds shall doff 

their day 
In this rich moment of regaining you. 

[^Excitedly^ 

I cannot credit your philosophy! 
O death, thou riddle of absurdity! 
Is virtue kindly to the grave-worm's gnaw 
That crawleth into false felicities? 

Edith. 

Shame, John, O shame! 

Sir John. 

What use that I pretend to hide the fear? 
They say that when a life is done, 'tis 

done. 
Dust vivifies then falls to nakedness 
Whose very grains destroy vitality: 

[^Striking his head with his fist^ 

Then from these skulls holding com- 
mingled wrecks 



The Great Conspiracy 113 

Of soul, doth God by Death dash down 
His Image. 

Edith. 

Is this the way you would console? O 
shame! 

Sir John. 

What certitude have I of yonder Heaven? 

Edith. 

In all this coil, where have you left your 
soul? 

Sir John. 

This sleep unspanned? — those draughts 
of love beyond? 

Edith. 

You have come here to mock me in de- 
spair. 
No more! no more! I can endure no more. 

Sir John. 

But here I know, I see that you are mine 
And will forever be while I am man; 
Not soul nor spirit but heart, lips, eyes, 

and hair. 
And with them Love — a dazzling sun — 



TI4 The Great Conspiracy 

Edith {calmly). 

But still 
Those things are trifles, dear, mere trifles 

now; 
And all are sentenced but the last, our 

Love. 
The eyes of Reason see not all. Believe! 

Sir John. 

How long shall last this parting? 

Edith. 

Unto death. 

We are Creation's secret, that is all; 

And in the realm of our departing hours 

Where falls your censure? Dear, now let 

us pray. 

Sir John. 

Your faith is pure — your love so unde- 
filed. 

Edith. 

Then learn your faith from Him Who 
gave me love. 

Sir John. 

Forgive me, Edith, my soul was torn 
asunder. 



The Great Conspiracy 115 

[^Again excitedly^ 
All this is comforting, but still you shall 
Not die. 

Edith. 

Yet stands the charge — all points 
against me. 

Sir John. 

While I still live I will not let you die. 
I — 

Edith {interrupting him). 

Could not love and live without you, dear : 

In that decree is all your reasoning false. 

My love of record, therefore, seeketh 
death. 

Whatever fame we've brought to Eng- 
land's cause. 

Let justice in our aftermath prove title. 

So shall we then appear — the loftier 
quest's 

At hand, a bridge 'twixt two eternities. 

The one from which we traveled and this 
towards which 

We go; a little tarrying place is ended. 

\_A sudden knock is heard at the cell 



ii6 The Great Conspiracy 

door; without further warning en- 
ter two guards. The CHAPLAIN is 
discovered waiting without^ 
[Edith and Sir John stand in one 
long embrace. Both are seized 
roughly by the guards, separated, and 
pushed through the opening^ 



[The stage is now in total darkness^ 



SCENE VII 

Sunrise in the Brussels Prison yard. Edith is dis- 
covered before a Prussian firing squad, standing 
calm and erect; her hands are bound behind her and 
she is blindfolded. 

Edith {as the guards aim their rifles). 

Into Thine Hands, O Lord, into Thine 

Hands. 
Lord, I commend my spirit, amen, amen. 

[Darkness again^ 



SCENE Fill 

High noon in the Brussels Prison yard. Sir John is 
standing before a Prussian firing squad; the men 
raise their guns and fire. He sinks to the ground, 

CURTAIN 



SCENE IX 



SCENE IX 

A dark low ante-chamber in Pandemonium reserved 

for new arrivals. 

Enter the "All-Highest." 

He paces back and forth clanking scabbard with 

mailed fist and gesticulating with withered arm. 

The "All-Highest." 

I cannot stand and stare into the dark, 
For this grim room stares back at me. 

All turns 
To stone; the gasp of strangling seems 

to run 
Vile draught and on me sucks and hangs. 

TisI 
Who spinned the planets into fields of 

blood, 
Whose million cells did set the world 

aflame. 
Turning to ashes all creation's breed. 

[^Flourish and rattle of mailed fist^ 

With "blood and iron" FU meet the 

devil's challenge. 
I am not undivine, of that I'm certain. 



122 The Great Conspiracy 

Thou still exaction! It's come to pass, 
My chronicles of war shall e'er be left 
Besmeared though I am down into this 

Hell. 
It doth appear that Foch did his part well 
With limbs of that far land across the sea. 
Wherefore have I gone thus so much 

astray? 
I, the anointed king of that mapped 

globe, 
Sequestered here! The end of my great 

mission? 
What fire that ever raged should ash 

the crown 
That hath bedecked my brow? Laugh 

now ye walls! 
This chamber seems arranged for one sole 

guest. 
Fm cankered o'er with doubts and fears 

that would 
Not well consort with my great dynasty. 
But how could I be hurt, being mostly 

God? 
O Liberty! to satisfy thy lust 
Dost know that thou hast crucified a god? 



The Great Conspiracy 123 

Democracy! thou silly crystal dream, 
Thy guns and fortune thus brought on 

my ruin. 

Ugly cell, gape not. O where is Lucifer? 

Cursed be the stars that smile on my cap- 
tivity! 

And War, where are thy fascinating eyes, 

Both but the image of myself, great suns 

That never should have waned or set? 
Who wrought 

The world in suffocating Death? But 
here 
\^He seats himself on a low throne^ 

Tm wont to sit. What once I was, what 
am 

1 now? In this foul loathsome pit V\\ 
seek 

To grind, annul the primer works of man 

And make these devil misers generous. 

In honor's sake, am I not still War-Lord? 

IVe plowed up all the countries with my 
sword. 

Be penitent? Fie, 'tis a fool that is con- 
trite. 

Ha, fain would I remain in dross here, 
free. 



124 ^^^ Great Conspiracy 

Than by the Will of Heaven be subject 

To the drudge and wiles of over-just Con- 
ceit. 

Were I to be but an tgg for Foch to gaze 
at, 

Or an angel hatched like some low-roost- 
ed lark, 

It were a lesser evil that I'm damned. 

Look at the ages. O holy piety! 

Thinkest thou canst check my wondrous 
power, 

Showing that God is hid in my disguise? 

Who pulls me down? O spare me mem- 
ory! 

I know they're true — the deeds deny I 
not — 

Their blood clots there upon the firma- 
ment. 

First blame thyself, then judge thy next 
of kin. 

Now on the mirror of the world I see 

A glittering phantom, beautiful yet fierce. 

O Belgium! turn away thine unforgiv- 
ing eyes! 

Thy churches fired, thy houses tumbled 
down. 



The Great Conspiracy 125 

Thy children prey to vultures and wild 
beasts, 

Why show thyself so marvelous? O light, 

Thou once all kindly friend, America, 

Why sear me, blind me with unmerciful 
gaze? 

Is there no aid, thou glimmering glove? 
I, king 

Of kings, who was and is! Yet speak I 
folly 

Amid this treachery of fire and ice 

And stone. The devils now draw in my 
tears : 

They know the very business of this 
hour 

And are at hand to ratify the deed. 

How I'm betrayed. Ten thousand me- 
nials come 

To take stock o'er bankrupt autocracy, 

Enslaving me to droning beggary. 

Come, come ye devils who would change 
the scene. 

My crown — my friends — have you for- 
saken me? 

Mine eyes, look not that way! Where 
shall I go? 



126 The Great Conspiracy 

Why creeps that burning cloud so near 

my face? 
Is this my soul itself I see? Stand! Stop! 

[Enter SATAN followed by ATTILA] 

Satan {to AttILA, looking curiously about 
the room) . 
Where is he now? this foolishness of man 
Who cumbered earth and now would 

cumber hell? 

[ATTILA points to the ''AlL-HiGHEST" 
who is seen cringing in a corner^ 
Is that he, Attila? dost thou mean that 
Upon its belly? that putrescent thing? 

[Striding closer he gives the ^^AlL- 
HiGHEST" a kick] 
Wherefore has conscience fallen so in me, 
That it must bring to mind such spawn 

as this? 
O surely now becomes Hell's eye most 

foul 
With that sty on its hidden retina. 

[Kicking him again] 
Stand up thou dross! that I may see thy 

face 
Or what's remaining of thy features still. 



The Great Conspiracy 127 

{The "All-Highest" rises, shaking 

from head to foot~\ 

The breath from out thy lungs doth give 

forth stench 
That puts my nostrils to a novel torture. 
Why on thy cheeks do I behold such 

grief? 

[^Striking him on each cheeky 

This side and that! Why didst thou lose 
this war? 

The "All-Highest." 

O spare me mighty Satan! 

Satan {twisting one of the victim^s arms). 

Break off, break off! 

The "All-Highest." 

But let me run headlong back unto earth. 

Satan. 

As welcome art thou there as here in 

Hell: 
That I'll consider too in thine indictment. 

The "All-Highest." 

O wilt thou not have mercy on my soul? 
Rend not my heart for thy conspiracy, 



128 The Great Conspiracy 

[^Pointing to AtTILA] 
For it was he who came and tempted me. 

Satan {angrily). 

Thou insolence and swill! in that we 

erred. 
So much the greater be thy punishment, 
For all the littleness doth show in thee 
Presented through Failure's mean loath- 
some eye. 
Failure makes evil turn against itself 
And prickles the low faculties of shame. 
Poor pallid weakling is the soul of him 
Which cannot hold its own in blood- 
stained life, 
But leaves achievement eke from out the 

door. 
Hold still, thou cringing fool! Should I 

turn thee 
To brutish beast? Nay, nay, they suffer not 
Without a conscience comprehending me 
Nor what was lost from Godly paradise. 

Attila. 

Pardon presumption in me, Lucifer, 
But let him still in shape be man, caressed 
By worms' embraces; or snake his para- 
mour 



The Great Conspiracy 129 

To sate his lips with those great cruelties, 
Vile propaganda, and those deeds of 

shame 
Which he practised upon the plains of 

life. 
Trust me to force this venom through his 

veins 
With all the thrill that Hell can add to it 
So unimpeded by the bounds of Time. 

The "All-Highest." 
O spare — 

Satan. 

A good suggestion, Attila, 
Who did outwit him so successfully. 

\_To himself^ 
Ah, I was so afflicted by this sight — 
What pain could I give unsubstantial 

souls 
Whose eyes are far less hardened than 
mine own? 

[To Attila again^ 

Methinks I'll send him through the open 

fields 
Of fire and ice; entrails and brain exposed 
To public view eternally. Ha, ha! 



130 The Great Conspiracy 

[^Several devils appear in the entrance"] 

[To himself] 
'Twould be new sufferings for my menials 

here, 
Forced thus to see the vilest schemes in 

coils 
That God e'er hid behind a fleshly wall. 

[Summoning the devils to seize his vic- 
tim he addresses him again] 
Now viper, thou hast heard thy sentence. 

There is 
No ear in hell to mercy's warblings, 
Nor would I soil my tongue with further 

speech. 

[The devils seize the "AlL-HiGHEST" 
and drag him roughly toward the 
door] 
Be thou transparent — opened wide 

apart! 
Walk and enjoy thy fulsome memories : 
But one great consolation give thy soul 
That Satan too must view thy future role. 

CURTAIN 



